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The Connecticut Income Tax:
Supplemental Information for Senior Citizens

PURPOSE: This informational publication is intended as a general guide to the Connecticut income tax for senior citizens. While it does not answer every question about the tax, it will provide answers to some of the most common inquiries.

I am a resident of Connecticut who is retired. My only income is from a pension, social security benefits and a small amount of interest. Must I pay Connecticut income tax?

In general, income that is taxable for federal income tax purposes is also subject to Connecticut income tax, including income from wages, pensions, interest, dividends, annuities, capital gains, etc.

Is any type of income exempt from Connecticut income tax?

Interest from U.S. Government obligations such as U.S. Savings Bonds or Treasury Notes and interest from State of Connecticut bonds or Connecticut municipal bonds are exempt from Connecticut income tax. Social security benefits that are taxable for federal income tax purposes will also be subject to Connecticut income tax. However, for taxable years 1994 and thereafter, Connecticut income taxation of social security benefits is limited 50 percent of benefits received even if a greater percentage of benefits is subject to federal income tax.

What are the Connecticut personal exemptions?

An unmarried person or a married person filing separately for federal income tax purposes whose Connecticut adjusted gross income is $24,000 or less is entitled to an exemption of $12,000. Married persons filing jointly for federal income tax purposes whose Connecticut adjusted gross income is $48,000 or less are entitled to an exemption of $24,000. An unmarried person filing as a head of household for federal income tax purposes whose Connecticut adjusted gross income is $38,000 or less is entitled to an exemption of $19,000. The exemptions are phased out as income levels increase.

How do I calculate my Connecticut income tax liability?

The tax is figured by starting with your Connecticut adjusted gross income:

I am resident of another state but live in Connecticut part of the year. Do I owe Connecticut income tax?

If you are a resident of another state, you will not be taxed as a Connecticut resident unless you have a permanent place to live here and spend more than 183 days in Connecticut during the year. However, if you earn income in Connecticut from a job performed or business conducted in Connecticut, you will have to pay Connecticut income tax on that income.

I have moved into (or out of) Connecticut during the taxable year. Do I owe Connecticut income tax?

Anyone who moves into (out of) the state is a part-year resident and may owe Connecticut income tax.

I am resident of another state but receive a pension from my former Connecticut employer. Must I pay Connecticut income tax on that income?

For taxable year 1994 and thereafter, income from a pension or retirement plan paid to a nonresident is not subject to Connecticut income tax. However, for taxable years 1991, 1992, and 1993, income from a nonqualified plan connected with former employment in Connecticut is taxable to a nonresident. Interest earned by a nonresident individual from a Connecticut bank is, likewise, not subject to Connecticut income tax.

If I am a Connecticut resident, will Connecticut income tax be withheld from my pension benefits?

Withholding of Connecticut income tax is available if your pension is paid by a company doing business in Connecticut. Your pension payer will send you Form CT-W4P, Withholding or Exemption Certificate. If you want Connecticut income tax withheld, complete the form, and return it to the pension plan administrator.

Retired federal civil service employees may request Connecticut income tax withholding by completing Form CT-W4CS, Request to Withholding Income Tax From Civil Service Annuity, and available from the Department's Forms Unit.

Must I file estimated income tax returns?

If you will owe more than $200 in Connecticut income tax over and above any Connecticut income tax withheld during the taxable year, you should make estimated income tax payments. Use Form CT-1040ES,Individual Estimated Income Tax Coupon. Generally, estimated payments must be made in four installments: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. (Fiscal year filers: follow federal filing dates.) If your income varies throughout the year, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the amount of one or more estimated payments by using the annualized installment method. Request a copy of IP 93(6.1), A Guide to Calculating Your Annualized Estimated Income Tax Installments, from the Forms Unit.

What if I am late in making my estimated tax payments?

Interest will be assessed on late payment or underpayment of estimated income tax. To avoid underpayment charges, you must pay the lesser of 90% of your current year's income tax or 100% of your prior year's Connecticut income tax (provided you filed a prior year's return covering a 12-month period.) Payments may be made through estimated payments, withholding payments or a combination of both.

May I deduct my Connecticut income tax in calculating my federal income tax liability?

If you itemize your deductions for federal income tax purposes, all payments of Connecticut income tax made on or before December 31 of the taxable year are deductible for federal income tax purposes.

What about the Connecticut capital gains, dividends and interest tax?

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1992, there is no longer a separate state tax on capital gains, dividends and interest income. Capital gains, dividends or interest income that is included in Connecticut adjusted gross income remains subject to the Connecticut income tax.

EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS:

IP 91(1.1), issued 2/11/93, is superseded by IP 91(1.2) and may not be relied upon on or after the date of issuance of this Informational Publication.

RELATED FORMS AND PUBLICATIONS:

IP 92(3.3), Personal Taxes

IP 92(4.2), State Tax Tips for Senior Citizens

IP 92(5.4), Estimated Connecticut Income Taxes for 1993

Form CT 1040ES, Individual Estimated Income Tax Coupon

Form CT-W4P, Withholding Certificate For Pension or Annuity Payments

Form CT-W4CS, Request to Withhold Connecticut Income Tax From Civil Service Annuity

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To order forms and publications or for further information, call the Department of Revenue Services at 860-297-5962 (Hartford area or out-of-state) or 1-800-382-9463 (in-state). Forms and publications may be ordered through voice-mail 24 hours a day by choosing Option 3 on your touch tone telephone.

Electronic Delivery Options: You can also obtain tax forms and publications 24 hours a day from our site on the World Wide Web at http://www.ct.gov/drs. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD/TT) users only call 860-297-4911 during business hours.